Pantheon Build

Table of Contents

Introduction

This guide will provide the necessary information needed to successfully play Pantheon, the Professional Hitman way.

Guide Updates

8/12/11
+ Guide Cleaned up due to patch changes
+ Item building Updated
+ added Recommended Champion Partners section
+ added Exit Execution section8/9/11
+ LONG AWAITED PATCH HAS FINALLY COME!
Pantheon Patch Notes for .123:
+ Heartseeker Strike:
It will now hit targets that are on the same area as Pantheon.
It now does 3 strikes instead of 5.
Base damage per hit increased to 13/23/33/43/53 from 4/6/8/10/12
Scaling per strike changed to a 60% of his bonus attack damage from a 20/25/30/35/40% of his total attack damage.
Cooldown reduced to 10/9/8/7/6 from 18/17/16/15/14.
Mana cost reduced to 45/50/55/60/65 from 70 at all ranks.
Channel duration reduced to 0.75 seconds from 1.8.
+ Spear Shot Spear Shot
Base damage increased to 65/105/145/185/225 from 16/28/40/52/64.
Scaling changed to 160% of his bonus attack damage from 100/115/130/145/160% of his total attack damage.
Certain Death Certain Death now causes Spear Shot to critically strike for 150% of its total damage to enemies under 15% current health.
+ Aegis of Zeonia Aegis of Zeonia:
Pantheon will now attempt to attack the target after using it.
Cooldown changed to 13/12/11/10/9 seconds from 12 seconds at all ranks.
Stun duration adjusted to 1 second from 0.7/0.9/1.1/1.3/1.5.
+ Grand Skyfall Grand Skyfall:
Initial channel time to jump reduced to 2 seconds from 3.
Delay to land reduced to 1.5 seconds from 2.
Damage done near the edge of the area increased to 50% from 33%.
+ Guide updated towards changes.
+ OVER 50,000 VIEWS!!! THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THE PROFESSIONAL HITMAN 2.0! NOW SHOW NO MERCY!
7/26/11
- Grand Skyfall range reduced to 5500 from having global range.
- Updated Grand Skyfall
+ As per Riot, Pantheon buffs are coming soon!!! ^_____^
7/12/11
+ Great to see so many more Pantheons playing during and now after free Pantheon week!
+ OVER 45,000 views from free Pantheon week! I hope my guide helped you in your trials!
+ Questions answered in comment section!
+ updated "Thank You!!!" section
7/6/11
+ After 7 months of being dormant Pantheon is free for a week again woot! It's 'bout time!
6/30/11
+ OVER 40,000 views! Knowledge is spreading! O.o
5/31/11
+ OVER 32,000 views! OH YEA! THANK YOU ALWAYS! :D
+ updated "Grand Skyfall"
5/11/11
- Professional Hitman 1.0, R.I.P., removed by admins due to clean up to old guides, you will be remembered and your legacy will live on! ./bow
5/10/11 Patch .118 FIX! to Aegis of Zeonia,
+ Fixed a bug where casting Aegis of Zeonia from max range would sometimes fail to stun or damage the target (unrelated to terrain).
+ Added a gray version of the charging icon to Aegis Protection when it is not ready.
+ updated "Aegis Protection"
4/25/11
+ Comments keep heating up with great feedback and questions! Thank you for the many contributions that contain moral and intellectual support to myself and the guide! I highly appreciate it! :)
4/19/11
+ OVER 20,000 views! Woot! THANK YOU! :D
4/2/11
+ OVER 16,000 views beating out Professional Hitman 1.0 and also a better score, THANK YOU! :D
4/1/11
+ updated "DJRage Notes" Section
+ updated "Heartseeker Strike"
+ updated "Item Building" Section inside Situational Remaining Pieces
3/9/11
+ updated "Skilling Order" Section
+ updated "Core build and Item Selection"
2/20/11
+ OVER 10,000 views! THANK YOU! :)
2/17/11
- Heartseeker Strike now deals damage slower - it takes 0.5 seconds longer to deal full damage.
+ Grand Skyfall Grand Skyfall now has a small area near the center that deals full damage (previously it was impossible to deal full damage to any target).
1/21/11 Rambo Build complete
+ updated all sections for new Rambo Build
+ updated all sections for name change to "Marine" from "Commando"
1/20/11 New Section added: DJRage Notes
+ updated "DJRage Notes" Section
+ updated "Runes" Section
+ updated "Summary" Section
+ updated "Thank You!!!" Section
1/18/11 Patch .109 NERF! to Aegis of Zeonia,
- changes made to Aegis of Zeonia
+ changes made to "Core Build and Item Selection"
+ changes made to "Skilling Order and Recomended Champion Partners"
+ added "Thank You!!!" Section
1/17/11 Professional Hitman 2.0 HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

Summary

This section is giving you a snapshot of what to expect in this guide build wise. There are two ways to build Pantheon to be a Professional Hitman. The first build is heavy damage with the ability to gank more efficiently. Second build allow you the endurance to handle a beating but also to dish out damage.

Spear Shot
Pantheon hurls his spear at an opponent,
dealing 65/105/145/185/225 + 160% of his attack in physical damage.
Certain Death now causes Spear Shot to critically strike for 150% of its total damage to enemies under 15% current health.
Cooldown 4 seconds | Cost 45 mana | Range 600

Pro Tip: Use this spell to remove off of enemy targets.

Patch .123 Change:
BUFF!
Base damage increased to 65/105/145/185/225 from 16/28/40/52/64. Scaling changed to 160% of his bonus attack damage from 100/115/130/145/160% of his total attack damage. Certain Death now causes Spear Shot to critically strike for 150% of its total damage to enemies under 15% current health.

Aegis of Zeonia
Pantheon leaps at the target enemy champion and
deals 50/75/100/125/150(+100% of ability power) magic damage and
stuns them for 1 second.
Pantheon also instantly refreshes his Aegis Protection.
Pantheon will now attempt to attack the target after using it.
Cooldown 13/12/11/10/9 seconds | Cost 70 mana | Range 600

Pro Tip: Use this spell and follow it up with Heartseeker Strike to complete a devastating move.

Patch Change .123:
BUFF!
Pantheon will now attempt to attack the target after using it. Cooldown changed to 13/12/11/10/9 seconds from 12 seconds at all ranks. Stun duration adjusted to 1 second from 0.7/0.9/1.1/1.3/1.5.

Pro Tip#1: Use this spell after a target(s) are stunned, snared, feared, taunted, anything that allows them to unable to move, you will land the full crushing damage of this spell to earn you some serious kills.

Pro Tip#2: My method of properly placing the cone of Heartseeker strike is by allowing the cone of damage to be placed on and ahead of the enemy champion(s) projected path. With an allied champions crowd control that allows your target(s) to be held or slowed in a certain location can significantly support this accuracy to attack to increase optimal damage.

Patch Change .123:
BUFF!
It will now hit targets that are on the same area as Pantheon. It now does 3 strikes instead of 5. Base damage per hit increased to 13/23/33/43/53 from 4/6/8/10/12. Scaling per strike changed to a 60% of his bonus attack damage from a 20/25/30/35/40% of his total attack damage. Cooldown reduced to 10/9/8/7/6 from 18/17/16/15/14. Mana cost reduced to 45/50/55/60/65 from 70 at all ranks. Channel duration reduced to 0.75 seconds from 1.8.

Grand Skyfall
Pantheon gathers his strength channeling for 2 seconds and then leaps high into the air, crashing down at the target area a 1.5 seconds later. Deals up to 400/700/1000 (+100% of ability power) magic damage to units at the center (down to 50% at the edge) and slows them by 35% for 1 second. If the channeling is cancelled, the cooldown is reduced to 10 seconds. Ignores spell immunity buffs (like Morgana's Black Shield).

Pro Tip#1: Very difficult move to land, its all timing and knowing your opponent. The best way to land the full hit is to predict the motions of your opponent is most ideal going to be in the center of the drop down circle. With any ally support that has stun or slows this becomes easier significantly at times, but make sure you know your opponents and their tactics or motions. If you seem to have much difficulty landing this ability ignore it completely, this champion does not rely on his ult to finish his targets.

Pro Tip#2: Another Tactic is placing the green circle or AoE where you are preventing him to go or caging them between them and the tower/allies. It makes them decide which is the lesser evil. In this case it is always in your favor. Being the cut-off man safely can make you gain some easy kills. Just practice, practice, practice your timing.

Pro Tip#3: "When the circle is locked (second casting bar) you can queue one of your abilities. Aegis of Zeonia is most likely candidate for this. Queuing this ability will make sure that you instantly jump to the target the moment you land with Grand Skyfall increasing the chances of scoring a kill." [Aeschere]

Patch Change .108:
NERF AND BUFF!
This can now be seen for allies where it is being channeled. Excellent buff for strategy purposes with your team.

Patch Change .122:
NERF!
This is no longer global range spell. Harsh nerf to backdooring Pantheon's but a balanced move for the game.

Patch Change .123:
BUFF!
Initial channel time to jump reduced to 2 seconds from 3. Delay to land reduced to 1.5 seconds from 2. Damage done near the edge of the area increased to 50% from 33%.

Runes

Ripper Build (Damage)
Runes:
With this rune selection, this will allow you to do heavy damage all game long. It lacks the possible 14 magic resistance and bonus health, but with the heavy damage added to your spear your offense is your best defense. Early game this rune build allows to gain quick early kills along with the rest of the game able to damage while building your choice items.

Pro Tip: If you see an issue with mana/mana regen, consider mana regen runes that are listed below. They are a great alternative when this issue occurring during your gameplay. The best solution is knowing when to commit to a fight (Team Fight/Gank) consider your amount of mana you will in with, this will in result end with normally better results. If you do not want to sacrifice damage for mana regen runes, discuss with your team for the Golem. This will put an end to your mana problem for a short term but allow you to not sweat over any mana issues. In short, consider these following options, mana conservation, gaining Golem for his buff every chance you can get (discuss with team first to be kind), and mana regeneration runes.

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Marine Build (Damage/Survivability)
Runes:
In this build, I allow you more endurance to this P.H. Pantheon. With runes stacking a large amount of health for early game, magic resist to handle early game casters, and a healthy portion of armor penetration to handle early ganks or anti-ganks.

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Rambo Build (Damage/Utility)
This speedy build that is more spell dependent than the last two. After much theory-crafting, I recommend not to use any other runes when working this build at this time. It has the proper balance the offensive in Armor Penetration and much needed mana regeneration for all areas of the game.

Summoner Spells

Ripper Build (Damage)
These choices to allow you to gank and escape. With exhaust and ghost at your arsenal you literally control the speed of the battle. Exhaust can be used to shut down physicals, slow runners, increased damage to target by means of mastery improvement, and also a form of escape for a sticky situation. Ghost on the other hand is used to travel, chase, evade, or deny a possible grim event.

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Marine Build (Damage/Survivability)
Now for these two. These spells allow the ability to ignore dangers much easier for use of escape or continuation of a beat down on your enemies. Cleanse is used to remove yourself from a majority of crowd control effects. It most commonly will save you from a possible gank on you from the enemy or help you finish the target that you are currently after. Also to reiterate, Ghost on the other hand is used to travel, chase, or evade a possible grim event.

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Rambo Build (Damage/Utility)
Well, these look familiar. The reason I chose these summoner spells is because you want to able land to your champion spells easier. If you feel that you have heavy issues dealing with crowd controlling effects switch Ghost with Cleanse.

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Other Recommended Summoner Spells:

Teleport: The ability to have complete map control makes this spell great for long distance quick response. This favors quick returns to lanes that you left for your sudden emergency when recall or Grand Skyfall. With this summoner spell, it saves your Grand Skyfall for more offense and less transportation needs.

Ignite: What is great about this spell is it weakens health regeneration champions to almost a screeching halt. This also used for that just that pinch of health so many champions get away with time to time. It can be also used to shut down healing champions and their assistants as you melt them under you melt them under your spear.

Masteries

Ripper Build (Damage)
In this mastery make up, it enhances your physical edge by a large portion with some added features for your summoner spells and other useful areas that which will help you in combat in all aspects.

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Marine Build (Damage/Survivability)
This heavily defensive build still allows you to deal damage with a large portion of room to take hits more and allow you to be more aggressive then your average Pantheon.

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Rambo Build (Damage/Utility)
This stun and gun build allows you to do high damage quickly and more often.

Skilling Order

This skill setup was made for the early kills at heart with the most efficient setup in any game necessary. Gaining Heartseeker Strike at level allows face checking into bushes a grave mistake and having those possible under 2 minutes double kill. Accepting the choice to get rank 2 of Heartseeker strike early as possible and one point of Aegis of Zeonia allows the chance of dealing massive amount of damage at even the early stages such as level 3. With either build, more so Ripper than Marine, you can gain multiple early ganks before the 5 minute mark with the right teamwork, champion selection with your lane, and communication. I recommend any champion that has crowd control such as stun, snare, fear, taunt, or sometimes slow to join your fight to gain those early kills with much ease.

Why rank up Grand Skyfall?
"For the skilling order choice selection that is down to style of play. In my stand point why I place a skill point at level 11 is the case of "you never know." If you have trouble landing the skill don't use it for ganks, team fights, or support your decision for delaying maybe better off. In my own opinion is that I rather have the map control, support of my team, or even get back to the field sooner."

Readers, think a champion should be up here that isn't listed? Place a comment! :D

Item building

Ripper Build (Damage)
Core Item Build:

This build allows heavy damage to begin at level 1 and continue to be consistently higher as time goes on throughout the match. You can gank very easily at an early start and a force to be feared when played properly.

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Marine Build (Damage/Survivability)
Core Item Build:

This build allows extra health and overall cheaper completion without risk. The entire package allows to be a great fighter but with much beefy health and resiliency.

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Rambo Build (Damage/Utility)
Core Item Build:

This build allows ideal lowest cooldown reduction with flat and percentage armor penetration for areas of opponents. This assembly is able to "stun and gun" so to speak more often and deal a high amount of damage.

"The reason why I pick Last Whisper for this form is because one thing and one thing only your abilities. I would have the Bloodthirster for my third item, but in this special case is your main focus is your abilities. This item increases your damage and also strong for the potential champions that will build armor. I assume they will buy armor for me to increase their survivability against me. If not it will be a large risk for my opponents lacking armor. In end result it is a good purchase for this build when it is fully supports the way this style plays."

Exit Execution

I hope you enjoyed this informative read. Any suggestions, compliments, questions, or concerns are accepted in the comments. I will answer any and all comments. I love learning how to play better, build better, and make a better Pantheon, and in this case a Professional Hitman style. Hope to read from you soon!